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A review by gabs_parr
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book, a fictionalized account from the survivor’s and victim’s perspectives, changes the zeitgeist of how we think and discuss Ted Bundy and similar serial killers. It is natural to have a fascination with these killers. This novel shifts our attention from the serial killer to the women affected by him.
Every reference to how handsome, charming, cunning, or promising “The Defendant” was made me feel just as sick to my stomach as it has in real life when I’ve seen the same true remarks made about Bundy. This novel did not shy away from how hard women had to fight to be believed and how inadequate the media and law enforcement truly was when dealing with this case. Rather than admit to their wrong-doings, the authorities would rather spin a tale that Bundy was a mastermind of some kind, though his school records would indicate that he’s anything but… with this kind of misogyny and idiocy abound, it’s really a miracle he was ever convicted at all. In relation to the media portrayal, the character of Carl was really well done. He really showed that even amongst men who were supposed to be helpful friends, these women still faced an uphill battle of perception.
I loved the way Knoll knitted the two main female character together using the Tina character. It was a brilliant throughline. And the side drama of Ruth wrestling with her sexuality and family life was an excellent addition to the story. Sexuality changed everything for Ruth. It was because of the rejection of her family and her fight with Tina about her family that she went to her father’s ceremony solo, thus ending up at the lake alone on that fateful day. Pamela was an extremely strong and lovable character. She is relatable, smart, confident, and incredibly brave.
Something that I was really reminded of while reading this book is that women do not need to be nice to men. We do not owe men our time, our smiles, our attention, our help, nothing. If that makes us “bitches”, then so be it. It’s better to be an alive bitch than a dead nice lady. Ted Bundy was able to lure so many of his victims away because he made them feel bad for him and made them feel like they owed him help. They didn’t.
This book is a must read for all fans of true crime, thrillers, or mysteries.
Every reference to how handsome, charming, cunning, or promising “The Defendant” was made me feel just as sick to my stomach as it has in real life when I’ve seen the same true remarks made about Bundy. This novel did not shy away from how hard women had to fight to be believed and how inadequate the media and law enforcement truly was when dealing with this case. Rather than admit to their wrong-doings, the authorities would rather spin a tale that Bundy was a mastermind of some kind, though his school records would indicate that he’s anything but… with this kind of misogyny and idiocy abound, it’s really a miracle he was ever convicted at all. In relation to the media portrayal, the character of Carl was really well done. He really showed that even amongst men who were supposed to be helpful friends, these women still faced an uphill battle of perception.
I loved the way Knoll knitted the two main female character together using the Tina character. It was a brilliant throughline. And the side drama of Ruth wrestling with her sexuality and family life was an excellent addition to the story. Sexuality changed everything for Ruth. It was because of the rejection of her family and her fight with Tina about her family that she went to her father’s ceremony solo, thus ending up at the lake alone on that fateful day. Pamela was an extremely strong and lovable character. She is relatable, smart, confident, and incredibly brave.
Something that I was really reminded of while reading this book is that women do not need to be nice to men. We do not owe men our time, our smiles, our attention, our help, nothing. If that makes us “bitches”, then so be it. It’s better to be an alive bitch than a dead nice lady. Ted Bundy was able to lure so many of his victims away because he made them feel bad for him and made them feel like they owed him help. They didn’t.
This book is a must read for all fans of true crime, thrillers, or mysteries.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Cursing, Fatphobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping